Chapter 490

Bonnie smiled generously. "Hello."

Clem nodded slightly. He was polite, but not warm. "Hello."

"Clem, who are you looking for? Do you need my help?" Maeve asked.

"No, thanks. She's just a kid I met in university. I suddenly remembered she said she lived here, so I came to take a look," Clem said, glancing at a nearby house. "But she probably moved."

A kid in college? Maeve mused, What kind of kid goes to university?

Maeve found Clem's words odd but didn't dwell on it. Bonnie, however, seemed to notice something. Following Clem's gaze to Maeve's old house, she looked between Clem and Maeve, a dawning realization in her eyes. There's a story here, she thought.

As if on cue, Bonnie received a call and was called away before they reached the restaurant.

Dinner was just Maeve and Clem. The candlelight, music, and night view perfectly matched Clem's unspoken wish.

"Clem, do you mind if I call someone else?" Maeve asked suddenly.

Clem wanted to be alone with her, but he valued her wishes more. Assuming she was calling a friend, he didn't object.

Maeve lowered her head and texted Byron: [Are you done? Where are you?]

Byron: [Speak your mind.]

His reply was curt.

Maeve pursed her lips. [Oh, it's nothing. I'm just having dinner with a friend. I wanted to ask if you've eaten. Want to join?]

Byron: [Do you think I have nothing to do?]

Ten minutes later, Byron—who'd claimed to be busy—appeared in the restaurant. He wore a dark suit, his expression cold, his hair meticulously styled. Maeve waved. "Here."

Byron looked past her, his eyes landing on Clem.

Clem's demeanor shifted the moment he saw Byron. His eyes narrowed as he assessed Byron's sharp features. The man’s intimidating presence was vaguely reminiscent of a Mafia godfather. Who is he to Maeve? Clem wondered.

Chapter 490

Clem was pondering this when Maeve introduced him. "Clem, this is my fiancé, Byron McDaniel."

Her fiancé? Clem thought.

Who is he? Byron thought.

Maeve's simple sentence instantly altered both men's expressions. The initial probing turned to hostility, a palpable tension in the air. They disliked each other before exchanging a word.

Who's worthy of being Maeve's fiancé? Clem scoffed inwardly.

Outwardly, however, he smiled smoothly. "Hello, I'm Clem Holland."

Byron sat beside Maeve, his expression indifferent. "Hello. I've never heard Maeve mention you."

"Maybe Maeve doesn't easily open up," Clem retorted, smiling. "She's always told me everything. She's been like that since she was a child."

"Yes. Her thoughts are sometimes sensitive. She likes to confide in her best friends when she finds it difficult to speak to me," Clem added.

Clem, Maeve's so-called best friend, was momentarily speechless.

Maeve, engrossed in the menu, missed the unspoken hostility. She thought their conversation was going well.

"Byron, what do you want to eat?" she asked, after ordering several dishes.

Byron looked at her. "Order for me. You know what I like."

His words stung Clem.

Maeve hummed, ordering his favorites, instructing the waiter to omit garlic. She then turned to Clem.

"Clem, some dishes here contain peanuts. Be careful; you're allergic."

Clem felt a surge of pride and elation. He glanced at Maeve, his ears flushing crimson. "Okay."

Byron's faint smile vanished. He looked at Maeve. "Have you settled the Greenhaven matter?"

Maeve choked on her orange juice. She looked at him guiltily. "Do you know why I'm here?"

"It's hard to guess."

"It's not done, but I'm not continuing," Maeve said helplessly. "Since I can't find him, I'll pretend he doesn't exist."

Clem raised an eyebrow. "Maeve, who are you looking for? Perhaps I can help."

Maeve waved her hand. "No, thanks. It's too much trouble. I've given up."

Chapter 490

"It's fine. No bother," Clem said, looking at a vase. "Besides, we don't need to be so formal."

Byron snorted softly.

"Mr. McDaniel, what do you think?" Clem's smile faded.

"Maeve is my fiancée," Byron said, picking up a pork rib for Maeve. "Her business is mine. With me around, we won't trouble you, Mr. Holland."

Clem leaned back, his eyes filled with arrogance. I'm rebellious. The more forbidden something is, the more I want it. "Mr. McDaniel, be careful. Hope you can keep her. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to take her away."

Byron's lips curled. "Anytime."

Clem was charming, but morally lax. Conventions meant little to him. Even if Byron were Maeve's husband, Clem wouldn't be deterred.

Maeve, oblivious to their silent battle, noticed Clem's intense gaze on the vase. She hesitated.

"Clem, you seem to like that vase. Why don't you ask if they'll sell it?" she suggested.

Has his social anxiety worsened? Is he treating the vase like a person? she wondered.

Byron chuckled. "I'll inform the manager. Mr. Holland, the restaurant can sell it to you for your…deep appreciation."

Delicacy Store was a McDaniel Group restaurant.

Clem was speechless, regretting his agreement to Maeve's request.

He sighed, taking out a handkerchief to wipe his hands. Maeve's sharp eyes caught the amateurish embroidery. "Clem, I think I've seen that handkerchief before," she said, recognizing it. "Can I see it?"